Turkey is a country that shares its geographical border with Syria, and approximately 90 per cent of its population identify as belonging to the Islamic faith.

In Istanbul - the country's economic, cultural, and historical centre - I witnessed Mosques standing proudly and harmoniously next to Catholic churches, and complete co-existence between to the two faiths.

We were there during Ramadan, and the media had warned us not only to not travel to Turkey, but also not to go out at night, when the Muslim community were out celebrating and finally having their meal for the day.

These warnings were disgustingly falsified and sensationalised, as we experienced no prejudice what so ever for being foreign, white, non-Muslims.

We were invited by a store owner up the road from our hotel to enjoy an extravagantly prepared meal with him, his wife and their daughter; we were welcomed with open arms by every local we encountered, and I spent many nights with families in their homes, where some members identified as devout Muslims, whereas others were flexible in their beliefs, just as many Catholics are, and did not celebrate Ramadan; however they did their part and helped prepare the meal for the other family members.

We sat on the floor talking politics, religion, World War One, and a hundred other relevant topics, and everyone's input was respected and built upon - which is a lot more than what I can say is happening on the Narooma refugee proposal.

The argument that the Syrian refugees are planning to build Mosques in every possible location, along with enforcing Sharia Law, mirrors what the Catholic Church did to our First Nations Indigenous People right here in the country you are now defending; therefore in order to argue that point, you must also acknowledge that white Australia is guilty of shamelessly carrying out acts of genocide in the name of 'God', just as ISIS are doing now.

Yes, there are extremists in every facet of life - religion, politics and conspiracy theorists - just to name a few.

These extremists do not stand for all, and to even raise that debate, you must then agree that all white people are racist, and that all Germans supported Hitler etc.

Stereotypes are forced into a society’s consciousness to serve an agenda, that is it. They hold no substantial evidence, nor any moral justification.

These refugees are looking for a better life- a life where they are not living in fear of their homes being blown up, or their children stolen and forced to fight in rebel groups.

They are human beings, just like each and every one of you that has commented on this post. These imagined borders that our Governments enforce are just that, imagined.

The only difference between these refugees and the Australian people is that we were fortunate enough to have our parents mate in a geographically fortunate location.

There are also many Australian homeless people, and this is downright heartbreaking (although they are not being bombed and murdered by the hundred), however how many of you have walked past and not even offered your spare change?

When was the last time you bought a homeless person a meal, or a pillow, or just a conversation, rather than a condescending look of judgement?

Do you pick up the local hitchhikers heading to and from home? I have seen hundreds of you walk past the buskers out the front of Woolworths in town shaking your head and complaining about their appearance.

How many of you post things on local Buy Swap and Sell sites that could just as easily be given to Vinnies?

When you say 'we need to look in our own backyard first', maybe it's time that you all started looking in your own.

Take this as an opportunity to reflect on your contribution to society: what are you doing to help people less fortunate than yourself?

How are you helping those in need? Until you can honestly say with your hand on your heart that you would give the shirt off your back for anyone who needed it, don't attack those that would.

Caitlin Dobson

Narooma